Round three of the 2014 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup took place at the Mellowpark in Berlin, Germany. It was the first time the Mellowpark crew had a World Cup on their premises. After two successful Red Bull R.Evolution events it was now time for an official UCI event. You could see the weird looks on the faces of the riders, trainers and officials who had never been to the Mellowpark. It wasn't all smooth, it wasn't clean-cut, it wasn't run by parents, but for sure it was different. Coming from a freestyle side you're used to this vibe. The graffiti on the wall doesn't mean you're in the ghetto. A security with a face tattoo isn't going to rip your arm off. The Mellowpark crew have proved to be a reliable group of hard working people who have organised many (freestyle) events in the past.
With no financial support from the city it was a goal for the Mellowpark crew to have a BMX track at their facility. The R.Evolution track stayed in Berlin and was adjusted in several ways to host a 2014 SX World Cup event. The space for bleachers was used up for a separate first straight that had been added so everyone
could ride the track. Also a women section was added on the former soccer field. A lot can be said about the track. The first straight was wide and noone seemed to have any problems with the first part being made of wood. The 10 meter high starting hill shot the riders to full speed real fast. After the first turn the track was split in the Men and Women section. The men rode the old R.Evolution track basically and the Women took to the left to ride their single lined track to the last corner.
The track was super fun to ride for the riders, but it was hard to
pass anywhere on the track after the first straight. The start is mega important in BMX. In Berlin is was even more important. Getting out there in front and not making any mistakes is what this race was about.
It needs to be said (again) that the Friday qualification round is so much better than in previous years. The thee-moto qualification system is way nicer to look at than all riders running a lap at full speed. The Time Trials finals with 16 Men and 8 Women is just about right. The top ranked riders are pre-qualified from the races before.
Edzus Treimanis (LAT) won again (this time for real) with
Caroline Buchanan (AUS) setting the fastest time in the women category. For many racers the event was over at this point because if you don't qualify for the main program, all you can do is watch.
The riders area was set up nicely with loads of connecting team tents. The middle section had a TV, music, a bar, a football table and a swimming pool. The area was used for teams to prepare for the races. Mechanics checked the bikes, nutritions set up their coolboxes, masseuses worked on their tables and riders just chilled, getting ready for the race. The area brought people together, especially when it rained.
Saturday was the big day. With the World Cup football happening the same week, not too many spectators showed up. The power of Red Bull and their media network was missing here. But the racing was exciting with the fastest riders lining up on the gate. It was good to see
Maris Strombergs back on the SX circuit. The two time Olympic Champion had not raced a SX race all year but was looking good in his motos and had no problems making it to the next round.
Nic Long was also looking strong in Berlin as were
Twan van Gendt, Edzus Treimanis, Yoshitaku Nagasaki and
Sharrah. Some contenders in the USA camp were struggling with food poisoning.
Connor Fields and
Barry Nobles were victim to that and it also hit
Brooke Crain on race day. This was the first race counting towards Olympic Nations po
ints so it was important to at least line up on the gate. If you don't find the last three riders in the results list, that's part of the reason.
The inside field of the track had a true VIP area with free booze and burgers. You had a view on the big screen also. It was the place to be to vatch the best of the action. A beer garden inside a BMX track, not a bad idea for races to come. After the motos were finished it started to rain. Rain had been showing up left and right but this time it came down HARD. The track started to wash away and the waterpump was used to keep the VIP's afloat at the beer carousel. Props to all the hard workers getting the track back in shape. This is where the Mellopark crew shines and in no-time the track was back in shape with the help of Elite Trax as well. The racing could go on.
Crashes happend in the semis. When only 4 riders transfer, the other riders are looking for spots to pass. With little room for that in Berlin, wheels went where they shouldn't have. Risks were taken, people went down, some went up and continued to even make their first SX main of the year. It got exciting to watch all of a sudden.
When the 8 finalists showed up on the gate for the Men and Women class the sun was back out and the cameras were rolling. Olympic Gold medalist Mariana Pajon got the holeshot in the first final of the day. She kept the lead until the last turn. Caroline Buchanan was tracing Mariana all the way and had three positions on the track where she thought she could make a pass. The last possibility was the last turn. Caroline took the inside and went wide cutting Mariana off a little as they both sprinted to the finish line. The difference on the line was less than a foot. The Australian showed that passing was possible indeed.
Maris Strombergs was the man to beat in the final. The power ofthe machine is incredible and the wide first straight helped him get out in front.
Twan van Gendt had positioned himself in second place and was looking for a place to pass but then decided not to do anything stupid and take second place qualification points. With
Joris Daudet behind Twan it could have gone either way as the Frenchman is known to dive in every little open space in front of him.
Daudet stayed in third, followed by
Sharrah and
Rezende.
The riders always put on a good show and make any terrain work. With a few adjustments to the track next year's World Cup racing will be even better. And yes, they're planning to build some stands and yes, they're getting support from the city for next year's race. But be quick on getting those VIP tickets, the best spot you can get. Bring on Argentina.
BdJResults Berlin. Men.1 81 STROMBERGS Maris LAT 6 37.404
2 148 VAN GENDT Twan NED 1 37.999
3 33 DAUDET Joris FRA 2 38.269
4 24 SHARRAH Corben USA 4 38.499
5 500 REZENDE Renato BRA 7 38.744
6 211 EVANS Kyle GBR 8 48.536
7 187 GARCIA Jared USA 3 DNF
8 593 CAMPO Alfredo ECU 5 DNF
Results Berlin Women1 1 BUCHANAN Caroline AUS 2 32.521
2 100 PAJON Mariana COL 1 32.649
3 971 VALENTINO Manon FRA 4 33.536
4 469 HERNANDEZ Stefany VEN 3 33.575
5 110 SMULDERS Laura NED 5 34.294
6 555 MCLEOD Melinda AUS 8 34.647
7 23 STANCIL Felicia USA 6 35.282
8 210 CHRISTENSEN Simone DEN 7 35.565